Saturn: The Ringed Planet

Isn't that interesting?

Saturn has the lowest density of any planet in our solar system. Its
density is so low that it would float if it was placed in water.

Saturn is a large gas planet with an atmosphere composed of hydrogen and
helium. Saturn's rapid spin tends to flatten out the poles while causing a
bulge at its equator. The winds in Saturn's atmosphere reach speeds up to 1800
kilometers per hour! Astronomers see large white
spots (or clouds) on Saturn which they believe are storms. Just like
Jupiter, Saturn emits twice as much heat as it absorbs from the Sun indicating
it also has an internal heat source. Saturn has an
extensive ring system which is formed by a thousand individual rings. The
rings appear to contain water ice and dust. The thickness of the rings ranges
from 10 to 100 meters and the rings vary in brightness.
There are gaps between some rings, while
other rings appear to be braided together. Astronomers believe the rings
developed from particles that resulted from the break-up of naturally occurring
satellites. The particles in the rings closer to the planet orbit the planet at
a faster speed than the particles in the rings farther from the planet. There
are satellites within the rings which result in the gaps that are present
between some rings. As with Jupiter, the pressurized hydrogen in Saturn's
mantle produces electric currents which create a strong magnetic field around
the planet. Saturn has at least 53 naturally
occurring satellites.